GVL-Operated Health Facilities in Grand Kru Declare Substandard!

By: Emmanuel Koffa I Grand Kru County Correspondent

Grand Kru –Wednesday, October 8, 2025–Grand Kru County Health Officer Dr. Leawillie Craig has publicly disqualified all health facilities operated by GVL due to what he described as ‘substandard infrastructure’ within the concession communities.

Dr. Craig urged GVL to adhere to the Ministry of Health’s standards in constructing health facilities to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services to the residents.

Expressing disappointment over the inadequate conditions of specific facilities, notably Weteken and Soroken, which he mentioned are operating out of unsuitable two-bedroom accommodations, Dr. Craig stated that all GVL health facilities must meet Ministry of Health standards or remain closed.

It can be recalled that in June of 2025, the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC) shut down three GVL-operated clinics in Sorroken, Wedabo, and Garraway Estates after inspections found the facilities were operating in violation of national healthcare regulations.

The LMDC reported inadequate staffing, nonfunctional laboratory and labor rooms, and no isolation units at the sites.

According to him, a review of GVL’s more than -65-year concession agreement with the Government of Liberia requires the company to provide modern health and school facilities for employees and their dependents.

The assessment reportedly found that some of the company’s clinics are operating in two-bedroom structures and other unsuitable buildings.

Dr. Craig described the clinics as “substandard” and “unfit to meet government health requirements,” adding that allowing them to operate would be “detrimental to employees’ health needs” in the county. Three of the company’s clinics have already been shut down by health officials.

The Grand Kru County Health Officer further that the clinics lack essential medicines, modern equipment, sanitary materials, and adequate staffing.

He described the GVL clinics as resembling “Booth,” highlighting the deplorable conditions that were observed.

The declaration follows a two-day go-slow action by GVL workers protesting delayed payments of dependents’ school fees and transportation allowances, coupled with poor health conditions among other grievances.

A mitigation dialogue involving the company’s workers union and county delegations from the Ministries of Education, Health, Internal Affairs, and the National Bureau of Concessions was held over the weekend in Barclayville.

In his assessment report, Dr. Craig recommended that, until GVL’s facilities meet regulatory standards, the company should support government-run clinics in its operational areas by supplying essential medicines and assigning qualified health personnel to strengthen service delivery.

However, a joint team from the county health office and the Ministry of Health found that the facilities constructed by GVL fall short of national policy on health infrastructure.

The health officer then reiterated that the county health team is committed to ensuring that GVL  rectify the infrastructural deficiencies already highlighted.